Adjustable liquid metering device having a fluid container subjected to intermittent internal pressures different from that of atmospheric pressure



June 7, 1966 L. D. BARGER 3,254,805

ADJUSTABLE LIQUID METERING DEVICE HAVING A FLUID CONTAINER SUBJECTED TO INTERMITTENT INTERNAL PRESSURES DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE Filed Aug. 1, 1963 #0 32 23 I l L {15* 2/ 3% \"w vi? I LL @134 Fig. 1 J

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United States Patent 3,254,805 ADJUSTABLE LIQUID METERING DEVICE HAV- ING A FLUID CONTAINER SUBJECTED TO IN- TERMITTENT INTERNAL PRESSURES DIFFER- ENT FROM THAT 0F ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE Lloyd D. Barger, Maryland Hotel, LaSalle and Grant Sts., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Aug. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 299,346 11 Claims. (Cl. 222205) This invention relates to a device for metering and exiting liquids and which may be actuated by intermittent pressures different from that of atmospheric pressure.

, Therefore one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an intermittent fluid exiting means that may be adjusted for providing different volumes of fluid for each cycle of operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid metering device that is capable of furnishing accurate and consistent measured volume of discharge for each time it is actuated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a means for removing relatively large amounts of condensate from air pressure lines and systems.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an automatic means for removing measured amounts of water and like foreign matter from compressed air systems.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a water or like removal means for compressed air systems that loses substantially no air pressure for its actuation. v A still further object of this invention is to provide a fluid measuring and exiting means that will function on either an air pressure lineor a vacuum line.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrange ments, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of my liquid exiting device with a section cut away to more fully illustrate its construction and operation,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the inlet pipe having a one-way valve imposed therein, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal view of the liquid metering and actuating unit.

While I have indicated my device for use as an adjustable reservoir and exiting means for collected water in air pressure systems, it may well be used for any purpose wherein intermittent measured volumes of liquid are required. Also it may be used to separate two gases or fluids when one of the two has a weight different than the other. Furthermore, my device will function in conjunction with a vacuum line as well as with that of a fluid pressure line.

In the drawings I have used the numeral to desig' nate a container, tank, or like. The numeral 11 designates an inlet pipe having one end communicating with Y the inside top of the container 10 and its other end adapted to be in communication with a source of .air or like pressure. Imposed in the pipe 11 is an ordinary spring loaded The numeral 13 designates an outlet pipe having one end communicating with the inside of the tank 10 at a point above the top liquid line in the tank as shown in FIG. 1. The liquid in the tank is designated by the numeral 14. Imposed in the pipe 13 is an ordinary open or closed manually or automatically operated valve 15. This valve is the equivalent of a pneumatic tool such as an air paint spray 3,254,805 Patented June 7, 1966 gun or like and which is intermittently used. It is to such equipment that my liquid dispensing unit may be used, and which I will now describe in detail.

The numeral 16 designates a tubular housing a liquid entrance passageway 17, communicating at its inner end with a centrally located cylinder area 18. The other end of the central cylinder area 18 communicates with the inner end of a cylinder area 19, as shown in FIG. 2. The diameter of the cylinder area 19 is greater than that of the diameter of the cylinder area 18 and thereby provides a shoulder 20. Threaded into the left end of the tubular housing is an end fixture 21 having a passageway 22 communicating with the passageway 17. The numeral 23 designates a pipe having one end communicating with the inside bottom of the tank 10 and its other end communicating with the inside of the passageway 17. Mounted in the passageway 17 is a spring loaded one way ball valve 24, This ball valve is yieldingly held in a closed position and will prevent liquid from passing from the tank 10 into the cylinder area 18 unless the ball valve is forced from its seating position.

The numeral 25 designates a piston slidable in the cylinder area 18. Joined to the piston 25 is a second piston 26 and which is slidable within the cylyinder area 19. These two joined pistons may have sealing rings or like 27 and the diameter of the piston 26 is greater than that of the diameter of the piston 25, thus creating a shoulder 28. The numeral 29 designates a coil spring in thecylinder area 19 having one end bearing in the shoulder 28 and its other end bearing in the shoulder 20 for yieldingly holding the pistons to the right of their sliding positions as shown in FIG. 2. The fixture 30 is-threaded into the right end of the tube housing 16. If the unit is in a vacuum system, instead of a pressure system, the fitting 30 is removed, and the spring 29 removed and reversed to a position back of the piston 26 and the replaced fixture 31 When the spring is in such a position the two pistons will be yieldingly held in a left sliding position. The fixture 30 has a passageway 31, communicating with the right end of the piston 26 and therefore the inside right end of the cylinder area 19. The numeral 32 designates a pipe having one end communicating with the passageway 31 of the fixture 30, and its other end communicating with the inside of the pipe 13, at a point to the rear of the valve 15. The numeral 33 designates an adjustable rod threaded through the pistons 25 and 26 and extending directly toward the ball valve 24. The numeral 34 designates a liquid outlet tube or passageway extending through the tubular housing and communicating with the inside bottom of the cylinder area 18, at a point near the right end area of the cylinder area 18. The numeral 35 designates a fixture threaded into the top of the member 16 and has a passageway 36 communicating with the inside top of the cylinder area 18 at a point substantial distance from the left end of the piston 25. This passageway 36 also communicates with the inside bottom of a resrevoir tank 37. The numeral 38 designates a piston slidable within the reservoir tank 37. A seal ring 39 is positioned between the piston 38 and the inside wall of the reservoir tank 37. The numeral 40 designates a rod having its lower end connected to the top of the piston 38 and its length threaded through the top of the reservoir Water or like within the area 42 of the reservoir will pass through the passageway 36, into the cylinder area 18, and hence exit through the outlet means 34. With the liquid removed, outside air will fill the cylinder area 18, passageway 36 and area 42 of the reservoir. This entrance of air may be back through the exit pipe 34 or by a separate passageway connecting the cylinder area 18 with the outside atmosphere. However, with a movement of the piston 25 to the left all such air passageways and/ or exit pipes 34 must be closed by the piston moving over and past them. If a tool or the valve is opened air will flow through the pipe 13. If the tool or valve 15 is closed, the incoming air through the pipe 11, will be inertia, building up air pressure higher than that existing in the system while the valve 15 or tool was open. This build up of additional pressure will also be back of the piston 26 and will drive the pistons 26 and to the left, closing the entrance air and water exit ports. The rod 33 will have engaged the ball valve 24 and moved it from its sealing position. With the ball valve unseated, liquid will pass from the bottom of the tank 10, through the pipe 23, into the cylindrical area 18, thence through the passageway 36 and into the reservoir area 42. There will be trapped air in the area 42 which will prevent the complete filling of the area 42, but the amount of liquid flowable into the area 42 may be regulated by the positioning of the piston 38 as heretofore described. As soon as the air pressure in the system is stabilized the spring 29 will return the pistons 25 and 26 to the right, the spring loaded ball valve 24 will close and Water will pass from the reservoir 37 through the exit pipe 34. The above operation is satisfactory where the air pressure in the system fluctuates, and it is desirable to remove water concentrate 14 from the system. To meet certain requirements, any suitable means may be used to actuate the piston 25. One method would be to intermittently connect the area -passageway 31, with an independent air pressure greater than that of the pres sure within the tank 10. The device will also function in a fluctuating minus or vacuum system. When the device is so used, the spring 29 is removed and placed between the piston 26 and fixture 30. If the device is to be used to meter a fluid, and the fluid is not necessarily a condensate, the fluid may be placed in the tank 10 through the cap 43. If desired the piston 25 may be actuated by mechanical means and such means may be automatic or manual.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that my device will separate one fluid from another, and if desired will do so with measured amounts.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangements of my adjustable liquid metering device having a fluid container subjected to intermittent internal pressures different from that of atmospheric pressure without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housing,

a conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

and means for actuating said piston.

2. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing at all positions of said piston,

and means for actuating said piston.

3. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside bottom of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

and means for actuating said piston.

4. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a means for yieldingly holding said piston in the second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

and means for actuating said piston.

5. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston'is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

and means for actuating said piston; said capacity adjustable reservoir comprising a cylinder and position adjustable piston.

6. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

and means for actuating said piston; said spring loaded valve being opened by a length adjustable member on said piston.

7. In a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said piston is in one position of its slidable movement, said conduit normally in a closed position preventing communication between said container and cylinder area,

a port in said housing communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

a source of air pressure communicating with the inside of said container and one side of said piston in said cylinder area of said housing; said air pressure being different than that of atmospheric pressure,

means for changing the pressure inside said container,

and means for yieldingly holding said piston in one position of its slidable movement.

8. 1m a fluid dispenser, a container adapted to have a dispensable fluid,

a housing having a cylinder area,

a piston slidable within the cylinder area of said housa conduit connecting the inside of said container and the inside of said cylinder area of said housing, a spring loaded valve imposed in said conduit and capable of being moved to an open position when said position in one position of its slidable movement,

a port in said housing communicating Wit-h the inside of the cylinder area of said housing when said piston is in a second position of its slidable movement,

a capacity adjustable reservoir communicating with the inside of the cylinder area of said housing,

a source of air pressure communicating with the inside of said container and one side of said piston in said cylinder area of said housing; said air pressure being different than that of atmospheric pressure,

a conduit leading from inside of said container,

and a value means in said last mentioned conduit.

9. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein said capacity adjustable reservoir includes a hollow housing and a piston movable in fluid sealing relationship with the interior wall surfaces of said housing.

10. The fluid dispenser of claim 9 wherein said reservoir includes a cap removably attached to said housing, and wherein said piston has a shaft secured thereto which extends through said cap externally of said housing.

11. The fluid dispenser of claim 1-0 wherein said housing is circular, said piston is provided with an O-ring about its periphery, and said shaft is threadably connected to said cap with an end protruding therefrom.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,535,760 12/1950 Sherman et a1 137-204 2,548,236 4/1951 Parks 137-204 2,850,209 9/1958 Hart 222440 X 3,004,549 10/1961 Temple 137-204 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEM-BO, Examiner.

S. H. TOLLBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A FLUID DISPENSER, A CONTAINER ADAPTED TO HAVE A DISPENSABLE FLUID, A HOUSING HAVING A CYLINDER AREA, A PISTON SLIDABLE WITHIN THE CYLINDER AREA OF SAID HOUSING, A CONDUIT CONNECTING THE INSIDE OF SAID CONTAINER AND THE INSIDE OF SAID CYLINDER AREA OF SAID HOUSING, A SPRING LOADED VALVE IMPOSED IN SAID CONDUIT AND CAPABLE OF BEING MOVED TO AN OPEN POSITION WHEN SAID PISTON IS IN ONE POSITION OF ITS SLIDABLE MOVEMENT, SAID CONDUIT NORMALLY IN A CLOSED POSITION PREVENTING COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID CONTAINER AND CYLINDER AREA, A PORT IN SAID HOUSING COMMUNICATING WITH THE INSIDE OF THE CYLINDER AREA OF SAID HOUSING WHEN SAID PISTON IS IN A SECOND POSITION OF ITS SLIDABLE MOVEMENT, 